Origin
Plano, TX
Morning in Plano on Tuesday
Local time
8:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plano, TX to Waller, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 30m
Distance
236.8 mi
381 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 17m
★
6 AM
4h 30m
8 AM
4h 57m
10 AM
4h 39m
12 PM
4h 37m
3 PM
4h 41m
5 PM
4h 55m
8 PM
4h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Waller, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Plano to Waller is 236.8 miles and takes about 4h 30m via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and ending in the same area. Expect a drive that's primarily on major roadways, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. With most of the travel on highways, it's designed for efficient transit. This route is well-suited for those looking to cover ground without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
118.4 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 143.9 mi | 2h 26m |
| South Madison Street | 41.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| TX 6 | 19.6 mi | 22m |
| Central Expressway | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| US 290 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| East Main Street | 2 mi | 2m |
| FM 362 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East 15th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 143.9 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Waller, TX.
1
Start on East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto Central Expressway
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 75 South
4
Merge onto US 75
17 mi
·
17 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 45
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
141 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 190 West, TX 21: Bryan, Crockett
8
Turn left onto Interstate 45 North
479 ft
·
17 sec
·
Interstate 45 North
9
Turn right onto US 190; TX 21
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto TX 75
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
South May Street
11
Turn right onto TX 90
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
East South Street
12
Turn left onto TX 90
41 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
South Madison Street
13
Continue on TX 90
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Washington Avenue
14
Turn left onto TX 105
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Highway 6
15
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
16
Merge onto TX 6
20 mi
·
22 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 290 Business
423 ft
·
10 sec
·
US 290 Business
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
18
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
Use the left lane.
19
Merge onto US 290
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
US 290
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward FM 362
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto FM 362
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
FM 362
22
Turn left onto US 290 Bus
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Hempstead Highway
23
Arrive at destination
US 290 Bus
Trip Plan
For this 4.5-hour drive, leaving Plano in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. Consider an early departure to avoid any potential rush hour traffic as you begin. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $36 estimated cost suggests you'll want to fill up before embarking or at a point where prices are favorable. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is over 140 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly before hitting that segment.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 118.4 miles from Plano, TX, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 52 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.4 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waller, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Plano, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Plano, TX
This is one driving day of about 236.8 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Plano, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Julius Schepps Freeway for about 143.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.4 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 235.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Central Expressway
Turn left onto Central Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
20.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
161.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
US 190; TX 21 / East Main Street
Turn right onto US 190; TX 21 / East Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
226.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
Turn left toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
6
235.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward FM 362
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FM 362
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.78 one way
$71.56 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $39.17 | $78.33 |
| premium | $4.54 | $42.28 | $84.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.28 | $104.56 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.34
Central Expressway
(16.8 mi)
$1.34
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71 | 0 | $24.86 | $11.37 |
| Efficient EV | 59.2 | 0 | $20.72 | $9.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.7 | 1 | $33.15 | $15.16 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Waller, TX
Morning in Waller on Tuesday
Local time
8:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 30m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 80% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 143.9 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway before transitioning to other main roads like South Madison Street and TX 6. Expect a high density of exits and interchanges for much of the trip, particularly during the highway segments. The transition from highway to surface streets will be noticeable as you approach your destination.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143.9 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and South Madison Street. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Central Expressway.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 236.8 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Central Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.8 miles (US 190; TX 21 / East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Plano, TX to Waller, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Crockett along the way.
Crockett
161.5 mi in
|
~2h 46m
About the Cities
Starting in Plano, TX
Full guide →Plano is a city of 285,000 people (2020) in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas and is north of Dallas. It is home to the headquarters of several large corporations.
Arriving in Waller, TX
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 236.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143.9 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.34 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Waller, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Central Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.8 miles (US 190; TX 21 / East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Waller, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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